about the honors college

What is the Honors College?

Founded in 1982, the Honors College is a four-year program designed for the academically
superior student. Unlike at most universities, which organize their curriculum into
departments (for example, biology, literature, or communications), at SCSU, courses
in the Honors College are interdisciplinary, organized around themes and questions
common to many disciplines, and approached differently in each. Honors courses are
also team-taught, with professors from different departments approaching the Honors
class from the distinct perspectives of their own training and scholarship. Honors
classes are small, each limited to an enrollment of 20 students, which fosters a high
level of student involvement in the classroom. Students do much writing, and they
receive close, individualized feedback on their papers and creative work. Through
this technique of lively, interdisciplinary interchange, the free flow of ideas as
well as their interpretation and analysis is encouraged in the Honors student, who
learns to discover underlying structures of knowledge in all areas of study, whatever
his/her major.

Are scholarships available?

Yes! Each year, the majority of our Honors freshmen are awarded a Presidential Scholarship,
which is guaranteed competitively renewable for a total of eight semesters, provided
that the student remains in good standing in the Honors College. This scholarship,
which covers full in-state tuition and fees, is not need-based and so does not require
a financial aid application. (Other forms of aid may be available through the Financial
Aid Office, so you should still file with FAFSA.) The Presidential Scholarship, available
only to Honors College members, acknowledges the student's accomplishments and encourages his
or her potential. It is an honor which demonstrates the continuing commitment of SCSU
to academic excellence.

How is the Honors program distinctive?

Honors College students may choose a major in any field. During the first two years
of college, our students typically enroll in two Honors courses each semester, along
with three other courses selected from their major field or free electives. These
eight Honors courses, when taken together, replace most of the all-university required
courses and comprise roughly a third of the student's total academic program.

During their final two years, Honors students concentrate on their major fields. In
addition, juniors take a research seminar in the Honors College, and seniors complete
an Honors Thesis or independent project, working closely with a faculty advisor.

Successful Honors College seniors are recognized at the annual Awards Convocation,
where they receive university honors from their department(s) as well as from the
Honors College.

Who may qualify for admission to the Honors College?

High school seniors with outstanding academic ability;

Incoming transfer students with outstanding records who have not yet met most of the
all-university requirements (with permission of the director).

Candidates for the Honors College also show a commitment to community service and/or
co-curricular activities (such as athletics and performing arts, and leadership skills.

What else is special about the Honors College?

There is a bond among our students and faculty which both fosters individual achievement
and also promotes group camaraderie. A key role in our program is played by faculty
advisement, which begins before registration and continues throughout the Honors student's
university career. Freshmen receive counsel from the Honors College director, from
another specially-chosen Honors professor, and also from an advisor in their major
area of study. In addition, Honors College students are a tightly-knit group. With
faculty, they plan numerous outings and extracurricular activities, both social and
intellectual. Honors students are often campus leaders, traditionally interesting
themselves in local causes and looking outward to the larger world community.